that
Americanpronoun
plural
those-
(used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as pointed out or present, mentioned before, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis).
That is her mother. After that we saw each other.
-
(used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., already mentioned, referring to the one more remote in place, time, or thought; opposed tothis ).
This is my sister and that's my cousin.
-
(used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., already mentioned, implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed tothis ).
This suit fits better than that.
-
(used as the subject or object of a relative clause, especially one defining or restricting the antecedent, sometimes replaceable by who, whom, orwhich ).
the horse that he bought.
-
(used as the object of a preposition, with the preposition standing at the end of a relative clause).
the farm that I spoke of.
-
(used in various special or elliptical constructions).
fool that he is.
adjective
plural
those-
(used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as indicated, mentioned before, present, or as well-known or characteristic).
That woman is her mother. Those little mannerisms of hers make me sick.
-
(used to indicate the more remote in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc., already mentioned; opposed tothis ).
This room is his and that one is mine.
-
(used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed tothis ).
not this house, but that one.
adverb
-
(used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated.
that much; The fish was that big.
-
to a great extent or degree; very.
It's not that important.
-
Dialect. (used to modify an adjective or another adverb) to such an extent.
He was that weak he could hardly stand.
conjunction
-
(used to introduce a subordinate clause as the subject or object of the principal verb or as the necessary complement to a statement made, or a clause expressing cause or reason, purpose or aim, result or consequence, etc.).
I'm sure that you'll like it. That he will come is certain. Hold it up so that everyone can see it.
-
(used elliptically to introduce an exclamation expressing desire, a wish, surprise, indignation, or other strong feeling).
Oh, that I had never been born!
idioms
-
that is, (by way of explanation, clarification, or an example); more accurately: Also that is to say
I read the book, that is, I read most of it.
I believe his account of the story, that is to say, I have no reason to doubt it.
-
that way, in love or very fond of (usually followed by about orfor ).
The star and the director are that way. I'm that way about coffee.
-
with that, following that; thereupon.
With that, he turned on his heel and fled.
-
at that,
-
in spite of something; nevertheless.
Although perhaps too elaborate, it seemed like a good plan at that.
-
in addition; besides.
It was a long wait, and an exasperating one at that.
-
-
that's that, there is no more to be said or done; that is finished.
I'm not going, and that's that!
determiner
-
-
used preceding a noun that has been mentioned at some time or is understood
that idea of yours
-
( as pronoun )
don't eat that
that's what I mean
-
-
-
used preceding a noun that denotes something more remote or removed
that dress is cheaper than this one
that building over there is for sale
-
( as pronoun ) Compare this
that is John and this is his wife
give me that
-
-
used to refer to something that is familiar
that old chap from across the street
-
informal everything connected with the subject mentioned
he knows a lot about building and that
-
(completive-intensive) additionally, all things considered, or nevertheless
he's a pleasant fellow at that
I might decide to go at that
-
-
with ease; effortlessly
he gave me the answer just like that
-
of such a nature, character, etc
he paid for all our tickets — he's like that
-
-
-
to be precise
-
in other words
-
for example
-
-
that is better, an improvement, etc
-
there is no more to be done, discussed, etc
-
thereupon; having said or done that
conjunction
-
used to introduce a noun clause
I believe that you'll come
-
Also: so that. in order that. used to introduce a clause of purpose
they fought that others might have peace
-
used to introduce a clause of result
he laughed so hard that he cried
-
used to introduce a clause after an understood sentence expressing desire, indignation, or amazement
oh, that I had never lived!
adverb
-
used with adjectives or adverbs to reinforce the specification of a precise degree already mentioned
go just that fast and you should be safe
-
Also: all that. informal (usually used with a negative) (intensifier)
he wasn't that upset at the news
-
dialect (intensifier)
the cat was that weak after the fight
pronoun
-
used to introduce a restrictive relative clause
the book that we want
-
used to introduce a clause with the verb to be to emphasize the extent to which the preceding noun is applicable
genius that she is, she outwitted the computer
Grammar
When that introduces a relative clause, the clause is usually restrictive; that is, essential to the complete meaning of the sentence because it restricts or specifies the noun or pronoun it modifies. In the sentence The keys that I lost last month have been found, it is clear that keys referred to are a particular set. Without the that clause, the sentence The keys have been found would be vague and probably puzzling. That is used to refer to animate and inanimate nouns and thus can substitute in most uses for who ( m ) and which: Many of the workers that (or who ) built the pyramids died while working. The negotiator made an offer that (or which ) was very attractive to the union. Experienced writers choose among these forms not only on the basis of grammar and the kind of noun referred to but also on the basis of sound of the sentence and their own personal preference. The relative pronoun that is sometimes omitted. Its omission as a subject is usually considered nonstandard, but the construction is heard occasionally even from educated speakers: A fellow ( that ) lives near here takes people rafting. Most often it is as an object that the relative pronoun is omitted. The omission almost always occurs when the dependent clause begins with a personal pronoun or a proper name: The mechanic ( that ) we take our car to is very competent. The films ( that ) Chaplin made have become classics. The omission of the relative pronoun as in the two preceding examples is standard in all varieties of speech and writing. The conjunction that, which introduces a noun clause, is, like the relative pronoun that, sometimes omitted, often after verbs of thinking, saying, believing, etc.: She said ( that ) they would come in separate cars. He dismissed the idea ( that ) he was being followed. As with the omission of the relative pronoun, the omission of the conjunction almost always occurs when the dependent clause begins with a personal pronoun or with a proper name. This omission of the conjunction that occurs most frequently in informal speech and writing, but it is a stylistic option often chosen in more formal speech and writing.
Usage
What’s the difference between that and which? That and which are used in very similar ways (especially to introduce clauses that refer back to an earlier part), but there is often a key difference.Before we get into the grammar, let’s take a look at two similar sentences, one using that and one using which.
I wrote about my favorite movie that was released in 1994.
I wrote about my favorite movie, which was released in 1994.
Both sentences are about a movie. But there’s a difference in what’s being communicated.In the first sentence (the one using that), the speaker is indicating that the movie they wrote about is their favorite movie released in 1994—not necessarily their favorite movie in general.In the second sentence (the one using which), the speaker is saying that the movie is their favorite in general, while also mentioning that it was released in 1994. In this sentence, you could take away the part that starts with which and the sentence would retain the same basic meaning.But that’s not true of the first sentence—taking away that was released in 1994 would alter the meaning of the sentence.That’s because that was released in 1994 is what’s called a restrictive clause, which is a part of a sentence that provides essential information about the part before it. A restrictive clause can’t be removed without changing the essential meaning of the sentence.The second sentence (the one using which), ends in a nonrestrictive clause, which provides nonessential information—information that can be removed without altering the main message of the sentence. Usually, nonrestrictive clauses are marked off by commas (or em dashes). Think of a nonrestrictive clause as an aside—additional information mentioned along the way.This grammatical distinction between that and which is largely used in formal American English. In informal speech, it is very common to use that and which interchangeably. And sometimes the difference in what they convey is very subtle or practically nonexistent.Still, when used in clauses like the ones in our examples, which is usually preceded by a comma, but that is not.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between that and which.Etymology
Origin of that
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English thæt (pronoun, adjective, adverb, and conjunction), originally, neuter of se “the”; cognate with Dutch dat, German das(s), Old Norse that, Greek tó, Sanskrit tad
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By filling in this missing piece, they now believe that periods of global warming can swing too far in the opposite direction, potentially setting the stage for an ice age.
From Science Daily
Evidence shows that some of Earth's earliest ice ages were so severe that ice and snow covered nearly the entire planet.
From Science Daily
According to the researchers, this level of freezing cannot be explained by a climate system that simply fine tunes itself.
From Science Daily
That realization led the team to look for an additional process that could push the climate beyond gentle balance and into extremes.
From Science Daily
These nutrients stimulate the growth of plankton, microscopic organisms that absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
